9 Best Fish Sauces (Patis) in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
In most households, you will see a familiar condiment that virtually amplifies the dish's flavor—fish sauce commonly known as patis. Most of the Filipino cuisine that everyone enjoys inarguably presents a flavorful kick. With the land available to provide vast spices to complement our dishes, it leaves no room for a bland-tasting dish.
This highly versatile condiment has become part of our daily dining experience. But one thing is for sure there is something more on that bottle of salty goodness. Come and join us as we exhibit our list of 9 recommended products along with a trusty buying guide, fact-checked by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, to lead you towards the best fish sauce. As you know, you can put it in place alongside your everyday dining enjoyment.
Quick List - Top Fish Sauces
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- What Is Patis or Fish Sauce?
- How to Choose a Fish Sauce — Buying Guide
- Pick a Fish Sauce From a Certain Region for Flavor Diversity1
- Look into the Fish Sauce’s Color to Ensure Quality2
- Check the Container’s Labels to Confirm the Naturality3
- Consider Looking at the Price Tag As Another Indicator of Quality4
- Decide Based on a Fish Sauce Container for Optimum Experience5
- More of the Best Food Items You Can Enjoy
- How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
What Is Patis or Fish Sauce?
Fish Sauce or Patis is a byproduct of fermenting certain species of fish such as dilis (anchovies), hipon (shrimp), or even alumahan (mackerel). Other makers use the innards of the fish as the main product to undergo fermentation.
These marine products settle with a large amount of salt—eventually left in a barrel for a minimum of two years— depending on the maker’s recipe. It is to activate the chemical reaction that yields fishy and salty liquid we identify as fish sauce.
This fermentation process brings out the natural flavors of the fish that makes for an umami experience from glutamic acid. It is known as the fifth flavor category aside from sweetness, bitterness, saltiness, sourness. Interestingly, umami also comes in monosodium glutamate or MSG. This flavor profile is what makes your meals taste better compared with food without any seasoning.
How to Choose a Fish Sauce — Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Pick a fish sauce from a certain region for flavor diversity.
- Look into the fish sauce’s color to ensure quality.
- Check the container’s labels to confirm the naturality.
- Consider looking at the price tag as another indicator of quality.
- Decide based on a fish sauce container for optimum experience.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Pick a Fish Sauce From a Certain Region for Flavor Diversity
The consumption of fish sauce is not just isolated here in the Philippines. Our southeast and east Asian neighboring countries use liberal amounts of fish sauce that defines their cuisine. Other than our recipe, a fish sauce’s character defines from the country where it originated.
Vietnamese and Thai-made fish sauces present distinct flavor notes aside from our own. If you want to experience culture through your palate, a bottle of fish sauce is up to take you in for a ride.
Thai Fish Sauce for Strong and Saltier Flavor
The Thai fish sauce is known as nam pla. The fermentation process of three to 12 months leaves a finished product with a strong salty taste and sharp fishy aroma. Aside from anchovies, you may encounter a fish sauce that uses fish varieties such as mackerel, herring, sardines, or carp— depending on the brand you choose.
Moreover, the stark characteristic of a Thai fish sauce is its amber-tinged appearance. Usually, to improve the overall taste, sugar is added depending on a maker’s recipe.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce for Lighter Well-Balanced Seasoning
Comparatively, Vietnamese fish sauce is known to have a light saltiness and well-balanced flavor. These imparted taste notes by ca com produces distinction from its Asian counterparts. It is an anchovy sourced in the waters of Phu Quoc located on the southwest Vietnam coast.
Interestingly, the measurement of Vietnamese-made fish sauce quality is via nitrogen degree content in every bottle. 30°N, 40°N classifications are printed on labels that tell a quality standard. For a top-notch grade fish sauce, look for a higher nitrogen degree level.
Philippine Fish Sauce for Distinct Local Taste
The patis' slightly fishy aromas and moderately salty nature magnify every fried dish and soup served since time immemorial. With almost every household having patis on the kitchen or dining table, patis will never go anytime soon. Commonly, it goes together with soups such as nilaga or tinola, either as a seasoning or sawsawan. Some, add it on mami, or lugaw, for extra savory taste.
Our fish sauce is a byproduct of bagoong production. Locally, the sourced range of fish sauces came from shrimps, dilis, sapsap enjoined with pure sea salt. The quality metric, in this case, is seen via especial, extra, and primera. Originally, Malabon and Navotas were the prime makers of patis in the Philippines, being coastal areas.
Look into the Fish Sauce’s Color to Ensure Quality
We are all familiar with the particular taste of the fish sauce— salty and fishy. But one indicator of a fish sauce’s quality is shown by its color. A tell-tale sign for a good quality fish sauce should exhibit a darker tinge of color— light brown to reddish amber. It shows the concentration level of the fermentation and flavor intensity where a fish sauce is known to give.
In Asia, where fish sauce is widely used and popular, some makers decided to improve its flavor profile. It is by adding a touch of sweetness, spices or formulating the lightness and heaviness of the fish sauce’s consistency and aroma. This innovation created a possibility for the fish sauce to complement a wide array of cuisine.
Check the Container’s Labels to Confirm the Naturality
Another way to know you’ll have is a high-quality, authentic fish sauce is by looking at its container’s label. Strikingly, a fish sauce from Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines present distinctive differences. Albeit made through a similar fermentation process. If you are to consult your palate, the nature-derived fish sauce will stand out any day.
Certain fish sauces in the market contain preservatives such as sodium benzoate to mimic the taste of naturally-fermented ones and mass-production. However, this may alter the taste experience compared to ones that go all-natural— seen on fish sauce brands at cheaper price-points.
Consider Looking at the Price Tag As Another Indicator of Quality
While it is true that fish sauces are mutual in terms of saltiness and fishiness, each bottle’s price point is one of the indicators of quality. Most companies that offer fish sauce have to endure different factors to present quality products to their consumers.
A high-quality product needs to have a high-quality ingredient— in this case, marine species—sometimes outsourced from different parts of the world’s ocean. Inarguably, fermenting batches of raw products to create fish sauce takes seasons. Some fish sauce makers who decide to continue the old fermenting process yield few compared to modern manufacturers.
But in most cases, the product that came from traditional fermenting stands out in terms of flavor, character, aroma, and taste. These painstaking processes are what demand higher price points and uncompromised quality. In most cases, production modernity fails to mimic the pure and true taste of traditionally made fish sauces.
Decide Based on a Fish Sauce Container for Optimum Experience
The fish sauces that occupy the market these days come in various container types that you should look closely at—plastic and glass. It is worth noting that a quality fish sauce comes in glass bottles rather than plastic-made ones. As a matter of fact, for an economical option, you can get fish sauces in pouches or sachets— mostly, for one-time uses.
If you have to compare these two, producing a plastic bottle is cheaper than a glass-made container. At first glance, glass bottles might look flimsy; however, transportation, where everything could happen, might affect the fish sauce’s integrity. Plastic bottles are prone to deforming when stacked or improperly handled compared to glass bottles.
Through this, you can be sure that spillage is of lesser concern. Also, pathogens and bacteria can never seep in, which will alter the quality of your fish sauce. The container adds up to the cost per bottle of fish sauce goodness, but what you’ll get is an untainted and high-quality product for consumption.
10 Best Fish Sauces (Patis) to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Datu Puti Fish Sauce | | Savory Goodness From Your All-Time Trusted Brand | |
2 | Lorins Extra Virgin Anchovy Extract | | Full Patis Presence to Blend Flawlessly | |
3 | Silver Swan Fish Sauce Regular | | Another Affordable Premium Patis to Grace Your Dish | |
4 | Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce | | Gluten-Free Chef’s Favorite Fish Sauce | |
5 | Pantai Thai Fish Sauce | | High-Concentrated Fish Sauce Flavor in Every Drop | |
6 | Suree Fish Sauce | | Superb Pacific-Sourced Anchovy Extract to Savor | |
7 | Nam Ngu Vietnam Fish Sauce | | A Closer Vietnamese Palate Experience in a Bottle | |
8 | Bibliorganics Premium Fish Sauce | | A Purely Organic Premium to Fit Your Next Dip | |
9 | Tiparos Authentic Fish Sauce | | Another Enjoyable Four-Ingredient Thai Fish Sauce |
Savory Goodness From Your All-Time Trusted Brand
Datu Puti brand has always been at most kitchen tops alongside the best home cooks that love creating adobo, nilaga, and sinigang for dinnertime. With most condiments under this brand, an affordable and quality patis is within reach. This is the reason why you'd see Datu Puti bottle in every home.
Every drop of patis from this 1L bottle came from premium anchovy extract. Your broth, soup, marinade recipe, and even fried dishes are guaranteed to bring natural umami and moderate saltiness that anyone can enjoy. It is a rarity that quality doesn't mean a hefty price.
Full Patis Presence to Blend Flawlessly
It is a surprise that some local fish sauces marketed do not resemble the authentic taste of fermented fresh anchovies. The liquid you see is an extra virgin pure anchovy extract. This product from Lorin's certainly packs what a true Philippine-made patis can yield to the palate.
At first look, the amber sheen shows the quality byproduct of obtaining pure anchovy extract that brings rich savory and salty flavor. Other than that, a pure fish sauce could cost much, but a bottle of Lorin's you see right here is affordable!
Another Affordable Premium Patis to Grace Your Dish
From one of the leading food item brands in the Philippines, here comes another low-cost bottle of flavor that never went amiss in most dining tables and halls. As Silver Swan traces its roots in Malabon-area since the '40s, you'll have a guarantee that this bottle of patis came from the skilled formulation.
Inside the glass bottle is a lightly salty fish sauce that can go as a dipping sauce. With an added umami to the blend, whatever type of dish this sauce should dash will surely heighten the overall taste. For a cost-effective condiment, this brings a good deal.
Gluten-Free Chef’s Favorite Fish Sauce
These days, people have high regard and consciousness to their diet. Hence, some food item manufacturers have started offering healthy products. This bottle of fish sauce from Thai Kitchen is one of the best options in getting a gluten-free condiment without compromising the flavor profile of the meals on the diet list— especially for the conscious ones.
The liquid in the 199mL bottle's amber shade presents excellent quality from the first pressing of fermented anchovies. It signifies the high level of flavor purity of a top-grade fish sauce. It is no wonder that most chefs prefer this bottle of fish sauce over anyone else.
High-Concentrated Fish Sauce Flavor in Every Drop
Of most brands, this offering from Pantai captures the essence of a great uncompromised fish sauce character. You can tell that it is hard to have a hand on a fish sauce with a balanced saltiness, sweetness, and umami all at once. However, this three flavor profile sits right in this bottle.
Despite the price point of this fish sauce, you can have the goodness of 70% anchovy extract to lift the needed savoriness of most meals you'll prepare. The remainder 30% are compromised of sugar, salt, and flavor enhancer, which is MSG. If you are looking for a real deal, this is one of the best to take.
Superb Pacific-Sourced Anchovy Extract to Savor
If you are looking for a quality Thai fish sauce that renders the iconic saltiness with a hint of sweetness, this product from Suree fits the bill. However, the flavor concentration of the product might differ from upscale Thai fish sauces in the market. The formula hits with 29% anchovy extract along with 28% salt.
Moreover, the caught anchovies used in fermenting by Suree came from the Pacific ocean. This method allows anchovies to replenish their numbers as the demand for this type of fish sauce recipe is at an all-time high.
A Closer Vietnamese Palate Experience in a Bottle
Getting an equally nutritious and flavor-rich Vietnamese fish sauce is made possible with this bottle of Nam Ngu fish sauce. This product holds the perfect blend from anchovies sourced in Phu Quoc waters that make for unparalleled taste and quality. Truly a Vietnamese favorite you can get.
What makes this fish sauce stand out from other recipes is the inclusion of nutrients vital to good health. Other than imparting flavor, you'd get muscle-building amino acid to give you a boost and an immune system promoting glutamic acid. A big treat for your body and palate, in a bottle!
A Purely Organic Premium to Fit Your Next Dip
Natural and organic options are now available to get, as what to look forward to this creation of Bibliorganics to make for a guilt-free eating experience. Nothing beats fresh ingredients when used in the production of fish sauces, such as in this product, where you can enjoy every dip. If you steer away from anything artificial, this is a perfect buy.
With the absence of artificial flavoring, coloring, and enhancers, you can taste the sea-freshness and authenticity of the naturally fermented and aged fish sauce offered in this bottle. With only sea-salt, freshly caught fish, and filtered water as the main ingredient, you're one way closer to nature in every dip.
Another Enjoyable Four-Ingredient Thai Fish Sauce
Some of the good things come from simplicity as what you'd get from this fish sauce from Tiparos. The straightforward recipe of four ingredients yields authentic Thai fish sauce taste that captured vast consumers. Moreover, the anchovy extract you'll enjoy is clocking in at 65% for an intense savory flavor.
Since 1919, Tiparos fish sauce has been dominating the market through the formula written in 1910. For over 100 years, this simple creation has brought countless tasty experiences that endured the test of time. It is a fair and easy way on where to put your flavor shot.
More of the Best Food Items You Can Enjoy
Good food means a lot to most of us. With our very own culture of creating savory and strong-flavored meals, our recipes stood out to other countries' cuisines. However, we have prepared other lists of food items and condiments to help you create better-tasting meals that your friends and family can enjoy!
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Author: Harvey M. Tolentino
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Fish Sauces
No. 1: Datu Puti｜Fish Sauce
No. 2: Lorins｜Extra Virgin Anchovy Extract
No. 3: Silver Swan｜Fish Sauce Regular
No. 4: Thai Kitchen｜Premium Fish Sauce
No. 5: Pantai｜Thai Fish Sauce
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Most ViewedFeatured Rankings Similar to Fish sauces (patis)
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